The Quadrangle

Issue date: 11/3/04 Section: Arts & Entertainment

In October, two popular rock bands have released new albums. The punk-rock band Sum 41 has released their fourth album, Chuck, and the hard-rock band Korn has released their six album, also their greatest hits album entitled Greatest Hits Vol. 1.

Sum 41's songs on Chuck are all similar. They all have yelling-singing with loud, up-beat music in the background, typical of what fans have come to expect from the band. Slipping Away, track number eight, is the only song that has a slower beat. It shows that there is a softer side to this band, very similar to Green Day's Time of Your Life. For the most part, the other eleven tracks are all like the first single off the album We're All to Blame.

When an album has mostly the same sound throughout its content, it is usually considered to be a failure. Chuck is an exception to the rule. It exemplifies what Sum 41 does best, and the similar beats make the album better. The sounds come from their past hits, including: Fat Lip and In too Deep off of All Killer No Filler (2001) and Still Waiting and The Hell Song off of Does This Look Infected? (2002). Those who liked those songs will enjoy this album, along with those that enjoy bands such as A Decade Under the Influence, Finch, New Found Glory, Smile Empty Soul, The Offspring, or The Used.

Korn has been a popular band since 1994 when they released their first, self-titled album. Since then, they have released five more albums, and now they have compiled their most popular singles into a two-disc greatest hits album. The hits on the first disc include: Blind, Shoots and Ladders, and Clown from Korn (1994); A.D.I.D.A.S. and Twist from Life is Peachy (1996); Freak on a Leash and Got the Life from Follow the Leader (1998); Trash, Falling Away from Me, Somebody Someone, and Make Me Bad from Issues (1999); Here to Stay and Alone I Break from Untouchables (2002); and Right Now and Y'all Want A Single from Take a Look in the Mirror (2003).

Along with the previously released hits, Korn has included covers of Word Up!, previously recorded by Cameo, and Another Brick in the Wall, the well-known Pink Floyd hit on the first disc. Both covers take the original songs and add a harder beat to them. In the remake of Another Brick in the Wall, the children that are singing in the background sound exactly like those in Pink Floyd's original version. Also, Korn has included the Dante Ross remix of Freak on A Leash, a very popular remix that has not been played on the radio in about six years.

The second disc is a DVD of Korn performing live at CBGB in New York City on November 24, 2003. It includes performances of: Right Now, Here to Stay, Did My Time, Got the Life, Freak on a Leash, Falling Away From Me, and Blind. Those who like bands such as Disturbed, Godsmack, Marilyn Manson, Papa Roach, Slipknot, and System of a Down would enjoy Korn's Greatest Hits Vol. 1.

Both albums are good for those that enjoy Sum 41 and Korn's genres of music. For punk-rock fans, Chuck is a must have, as is Greatest Hits Vol. 1 is for hard-rock fans.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools